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Smooth cased caddis

Guide to New Zealand's freshwater invertebrates

Smooth cased caddis ( Conoesucidae : Beraeoptera )

Aperture of case oblique
Aperture of case widens laterally

Diagnostic features

Beraeoptera caddis larvae construct a mobile case that is largely or entirely uncovered by sand grains. The aperture (opening) is strongly oblique and widens laterally (unlike the other smooth cased caddisflies Olinga and Confluens).

Typical habitats

Beraeoptera larvae are most common in stony, bush-covered streams.

Feeding

They are “collector-gatherers”, feeding on a range of organic matter accumulating on stream beds.

Indicator value

An abundance of Beraeoptera larvae indicates good habitat and water quality conditions, especially if mayfly or stonefly groups are also abundant. They have tolerance values of 8 (hard bottom sites) and 7 (soft bottom sites).